CHENGYU
名列前茅(míng liè qián máo)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, approving
- Source:
- 《左传·宣公十二年》
MEANING
- Literal
- one's name listed among the foremost banners
- Figurative meaning
- to rank among the best
ORIGIN STORY
In the Zuo Commentary, an army on the march sets scouts with mao grass banners at the very front — the 前茅. Being listed among the vanguard banners came to mean standing in the first rank.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“in the front rank”
EXAMPLES
他学习成绩一直名列前茅。Tā xuéxí chéngjì yìzhí míng liè qián máo.HSK6
His grades always rank among the foremost banners.
这家公司在行业中名列前茅。Zhè jiā gōngsī zài hángyè zhōng míng liè qián máo.HSK6
The company stands in the front rank of its industry.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It is top ranking among competitors — not just "famous" or "popular".
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01